Callaway Resort & Gardens history

Open since 1952, Callaway Resort & Gardens is nestled in the southernmost foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

1953 (June 10): Howard H. “Bo” Callaway is appointed Executive Director.

1955: The Gardens name changes to Ida Cason Callaway Gardens.

1956: First 50 rooms of Gardens Motel (which would eventually become Mountain Creek Inn) open, making it the largest motel on United States Hwy.

1958: Gardens Services, Inc. incorporates to operate motel, food concessions, golf operations, and Robin Lake Beach.

1959: Laurel Springs Trail opens.

1960: Pioneer Log Cabin opens.

1961 (April 12): Cason J. Callaway dies.

1964: Fifty more cottages are built, and the motel adds 73 rooms.

He then returned to the helm of Callaway Mills and successfully guided operations until April 1968, when he shocked many by selling Callaway Mills for cash to Roger Milliken and Deering-Milliken Company of Spartanburg, South Carolina.

1972: Virginia Callaway establishes Cason J. Callaway Memorial Forest, which the United States Dept. of the Interior designates as a Natural Landmark.

Waights G. Henry Jr., Fuller E. Callaway, Jr.: A Three Dimension Man and Callaway Foundation, Inc. (New York: Newcomen Society, 1979).

1984: Original A-frame cottages are sold and new cottages constructed.

1986: Southern Gardening Symposium begins.

1990: Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel rededicated.

The western portion of the park, formerly named Pine Mountain State Park, was named a National Historic Landmark in 1997.

1999: Groundbreaking for Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center.

2001: Lake View and Mountain View Golf Courses are renovated.

Minchew, K. L. (2005). Callaway Family.